Former minister M P Prakash, a prominent Lingayat leader from the north Karnataka region, who has emerged as the frontman for the pro-Gowda group, termed their decision of joining JD(S) unconditionally as the ``second step'' after Mr Sindhia's first step in the process of unification of the Janata parivar to provide a credible and viable alternative to Congress and BJP.

"Even a thousand mile long journey has to be undertaken step by step. We have taken the second step in bringing the Janata parivar together. We will continue to work our efforts," Mr Prakash said.

He was accompanied by AIPJD MLAs B N Bache Gowda, Amaregowda Bayyapur, Karadi Sanganna, Mahadeva Prasad, A R Krishnamurthy and MLC B T Channabasappa while other MLAs like A B Patil, S C Malagi and Chandrappa have consented to follow them. Former minister M C Nanaiah and his group of neutral Dal leaders, Belgaum MLA Umesh Katti as well as leaders of Kolar district had sought time to make up their mind. Mr Prakash also was propped up by former legislators like Leeladevi R Prasad, Basavaraj Patil Attur, Dr M Shankar Naik, M S Patil, Sharanabasappa Darshanapur, Nagappa Saloni, Mutthinapendimath, Revanasiddaiah and several other district level leaders.

Mr Prakash explained that their decision to join JD(S) was taken as a "deliberate and calculated strategy" to give more momentum to the process of Janata parivar's unity, which has been going on in fits and starts during the last four years since the 1999 poll debacle.

"Elections are an year away and therefore there is no question of surrender (to Mr Gowda) as there is no victor. We have decided to join forces because both sides need each other and the people want us to come together as is evident from various by-elections including the recent ones in Vemgal and Hungund," he said.

Disclosing that he and his colleagues will shortly decide a suitable date for formally joining JD(S) at a massive public convention to be held in north Karnataka, Mr Prakash made it clear that Mr Ramakrishna Hegde, Mr S R Bommai and Mr Gowda will continue to be the three pillars of Janata parivar in Karnataka.

"We will continue our efforts to iron out the differences and pave the way for the unity, which could be completed only when all Janata factions came together", he said asserting that the party will work on the basis of its ideology, principles and policies rather than loyalty and glorification of individuals.